Reusable envelope

ABSTRACT

A reusable envelope has one or more spaces thereon where address, return labels and/or postage can be removably placed or permanently affixed such as for finite number of shipments using a permanently affixed postage area, for example. The reusable envelope also includes a resealable closure allowing the interior of the envelope to be closed and reopened multiple times for multiple uses (shipments, receiving) or optionally to use a finite number of times by exposing the permanent adhesive to the flat and mating surface depending on user preference.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/226,829 filed on Mar. 27, 2014, pending, whichis a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 13/894,896 filed on May 15, 2013, pending, which isa continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 13/601,922 filed on Aug. 31, 2012, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/629,741 filed on Nov. 22, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/632,100 filed on Jan. 17, 2012. The entire contents of each patentapplication identified above is incorporated by reference herein as iffully set forth to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to postcards, greeting cards, andenvelopes for sending messages from a sender to a recipient. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to reusable envelopes which do notrequire either saving in their original form or discarding, but rathercan be reconfigured and reused for sending from a new sender to a newrecipient or adapted to be completely reusable or reused a fixed amountof times (at least more than once)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pre-printed greeting cards and postcards are known to be manufacturedand sold, typically at retail establishments, to assist individuals inexchanging greetings with others. Such greeting cards typically have aconstruction primarily of paper or paper-like materials and typicallyinclude a message and artwork of some type. Many greeting cards andpostcards include plenty of space for customization, such as forallowing a sender to write a personal message in handwriting directly onthe greeting card or postcard

Greeting cards typically have a theme which correlates with some eventwhich might typically call for the sending of a greeting card. Examplesinclude birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, illnesses, graduations, etc.In addition to the theme associated with the card, cards also can bedistinguished in other ways, such as with some cards being humorous andother cards being more sentimental or serious.

Because of the many different types of greetings and the many differentparticular tastes and styles enjoyed by different individuals, anexceptionally large number of greeting cards must be inventoried atstores if “just the right card” is to be provided for the purchaser. Inmany instances, multiple aisles of a store are devoted to the display ofsuch cards. Display space within a store is quite valuable to theretailer, such that there is a continuing need to diminish the amount ofspace required to display a certain number of greeting cards. When theamount of display space available is fixed, it is desirable to have asmany greeting card options as possible available within that displayspace.

Furthermore, one drawback of greeting cards is that they are typicallyexchanged and enjoyed for a very brief period of time and then typicallythrown away. The recipient of the card does not have any opportunity torecoup the value of the card which has been received, but must ratherpurchase new cards when greetings are to be exchanged back to the senderor to others. Such a disposability cycle for greeting cards isundesirable in that it inefficiently utilizes the natural resourceswhich go into the manufacture of the greeting cards. Furthermore,economically it is less efficient for the users to have such greetingcards used only once and then disposed of. While it would be desirableto reuse a greeting card, such reuse is hampered in that the card hastypically already been customized by the sender so that it cannot bereused by the recipient. Furthermore, the recipient may need a greetingcard with a different message to accommodate a different specialoccasion, so that the greeting cards which have been received by therecipient are not suitable for sending out again.

Furthermore, twenty-first century society has gained a significantlyheightened awareness of the benefits of reusability and sustainabilitypractices. Such reusability and sustainability practices have foundtheir way into many consumer items. However, greeting cards have notheretofore enjoyed a practical reusable greeting or postcard.Accordingly, this desire to maximize reusability and sustainability isto a great extent frustrated when such individuals are faced with a needto purchase greeting cards.

Envelopes are primarily configured so that they are only used once anddisposed of. In at least one instance, an envelope is known which can beinverted and refolded/reconstructed after initial use to be ready for asingle further use, such as when in the form of a utility bill envelopewhich can be converted into an envelope in which a payment can bereturned. However, such envelopes are only usable twice and requiresignificant effort to reconfigure the envelope for reuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention, a reusable card, such as a greeting card orpostcard is provided, as well as a reusable envelope, so that a greetingcard or postcard can be utilized multiple times before its usefulnesshas been exhausted. While the greeting card could have a variety ofdifferent numbers of panels and surfaces associated therewith, a typicalembodiment includes at least one panel, preferably two panels, in theform of generally planar substantially rigid paper hinged together.Surfaces of these panels include a front, inside front, inside rear andrear which are provided on a front leaf and a rear leaf that hingetogether about a fold therebetween, which generally divides the greetingcard into two halves.

A typical embodiment for a reusable postcard in combination with areusable postcard envelope, includes at least one panel in the form ofgenerally planar substantially rigid paper hinged or folded together toprovide a space for an insert such as a postcard or photo to be insertedand contained therewithin. Surfaces of these panels include a front,inside front, inside rear and rear which are provided by a foldtherebetween, where a photo, illustration, or traditional postcard maybe inserted and at least a portion of said insert may be viewablethrough a cut-out or a see-through plastic panel. This reusable postcardenvelope also has an area with reusable adhesive to hold the photo ortraditional postcard therewithin.

The various different attributes of this exemplary greeting card areshown herein in a particular arrangement which is most preferred.However, the various details of this greeting card could be rearrangedto different locations in alternative embodiments and alternativeembodiments could have a greater or lesser number of surfaces andpanels, with or without creases, such as, but not limited to a reusablepostcard. Also, while the crease between the two leaves is shown as avertical crease, this crease could be horizontal or in some otherorientation.

In one specific embodiment, a front surface of the front leaf isgenerally rectangular. A primary feature of this front surface is that aportion of this front surface has been cut away to define a window.Portions of the front surface outside of the window generally haveprinting thereon which is static in nature. The window is accessiblethrough a slot preferably located at an upper edge of the front leaf,but the slot could be located on a bottom or lateral edge, or the slotcould be inboard of the edges.

The reusable greeting card is provided with a multiplicity of insertswhich are preferably stored within a storage slot, preferably within aninterior of the rear leaf of the greeting card. One of these inserts isselected and subsequently slid into the slot in the front leaf. Theinsert has a theme and printing thereon which correlates to the theme.The printing typically includes wording and also typically graphics,photographs, etc. positioned on the insert so that when the insert isplaced within the slot in the front leaf, this visual informationassociated with the insert is visible through the window.

In a most preferred embodiment, the insert has printing on both an outersurface and an inner surface. An inside front of the front leaf has aninside window therein similar to the window on the outside front of thefront leaf. The printing on the inner surface of the insert showsthrough the inside window. The printing on both sides of the insertpreferably correlate together and associate with a particular theme.Themes could vary as do greeting cards known in the prior art. Examplesinclude inserts specifically provided for Earth Day, Valentine's Day,Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, birthdays, get well soongreetings, graduation, celebrations, other holidays, or othersignificant life events.

While the windows are shown having a particular shape, size andposition, these shapes, sizes and positions could vary for the reusablegreeting card. Preferably, each of the inserts would be of a similarshape and would have text and/or other graphic depictions thereonpositioned so that they show through whatever window size, shape andposition is provided for the front and inside surfaces of the frontleaf. While the windows are preferably merely open, they could be filledwith a transparent layer which isolates the inside of the window.

The rear leaf preferably is fitted with the storage pocket in which amultiplicity of the various inserts can be simultaneously stored. Inaddition, the rear panel preferably includes a customizable greetingsspace where a modifiable message can be provided by the sender. One suchcustomizable greeting space element can be in the form of a stack ofsticky notes attached thereto. By having greeting customization limitedto a surface of one of these sticky notes, the top note sheet can merelybe removed and then a new note sheet is available for the recipient ofthe greeting card to reuse when sending the card to another recipient.As an alternative (or in addition) to sticky notes, a dry erase surface(or other temporary writing technology, such as pencil or chalk) couldbe provided which allows for wiping off or erasing one message andwriting a new message on such a surface.

A rear side of the rear panel is configured for general instructions andoptionally to allow for addressing of the greeting card to therecipient. In this preferred embodiment two dry erase panels areprovided, one at an address space for the card and one at a returnaddress space for the card. These spaces correspond with windows in areusable envelope in one embodiment of this invention.

Details of the embodiment(s) of the envelope are described below. Byusing a dry erase marker, the address and return address can be providedon the card and then the card placed within the reusable envelope withthe address and return address showing through these windows. As analternative, pads of sticky notes could be provided for the address andreturn address spaces on the rear surface of the rear panel of thegreeting card. The reusable greeting card could be utilized with astandard envelope also, if desired.

In one embodiment of the invention, sound can be accommodated with thegreeting card. For instance, a song selection wheel can be provided onan edge of the rear panel which is rotatable within a side slot.Rotation of the song wheel allows for selection of different songs whichcorrelate with different special occasions. The sender of the card wouldrotate the song selection wheel to the desired theme. Then, when therecipient receives the greeting card and opens the greeting card, aswitch associated with the greeting card detects when the card has beenopened and commences play of the sound file for the greeting card. Suchswitches, sound storage devices, sound generation speakers, powersupplies and other details of this attribute of the reusable greetingcard are similar to those known in the prior art for sound generatinggreeting cards.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the inserts can be fitted withstorage media which can store a sound file in the media thereof. Aplayer would read the sound file off of the insert when the insert isplaced within the slot in the front panel of the greeting card, withplaying of the sound file triggered when the greeting card is opened, orwhen a button is pushed, or some other trigger actuated.

As another alternative, the inserts could merely have tab on a loweredge thereof which is in a particular position which causes a bottom ofthe slot to detect the position of the tab and play a corresponding songor other sound file which would then be associated with the properoccasion to which the insert is directed. For instance, an insertassociated with Christmas might have a tab at a middle of the lower edgeof the insert. When this insert is placed within the slot in the frontpanel of the greeting card, this middle located tab would engage a sounddevice at a lower portion of the slot at a middle portion thereof andthe sound generating device would be programmed to play a Christmasrelated song when the tab interacts with the sound playing device at amiddle portion of the lower edge of the slot.

As another alternative, a readable element, such as a magnetic strip,could be provided on a lower edge of the insert which would be readableby the sound generating device so that the sound generating device wouldplay music or other sound files which correlate with the informationprovided upon the readable element of the insert. Other forms of machinereadable attributes could be put upon the insert to interact with someform of reader so that a proper sound file is played correlating withthe contents of the insert that has been placed within the slot of thefront panel.

Another system for associating sound or video with the greeting cardincludes printing a unique scannable tag on the greeting card,preferably on the rear leaf adjacent the customizable greetings space. Asmartphone with a video screen and a camera can scan such a tag and thenaccess a media file storage site over the internet. A file associatedwith this tag can be created and uploaded by the user of the smartphone.A recipient of the card who later accesses this media storage site willbe able to play the sound and/or video file created by the sender. Therecipient can also re-record a new media file for use by a new recipientwhen the greeting card is reconfigured and resent to the new recipient.

The reusable envelope preferably is formed of a flexible plastic, papermaterial or mixture thereof, and is substantially closed except foralong one edge thereof to resist being soiled while passing through themail or otherwise becoming damaged, such as by coming into contact withwater. While this envelope is preferably substantially entirely closed,an openable closure is provided along one edge. The reusable greetingcard or other contents can be passed into and removed from an interioropen space of the envelope through this openable closure.

One form of openable closure is in the form of a tongue and grooveclosure such as that provided under the trademark ZIPLOC by S. C.Johnson & Son, Inc. of Racine, Wis. As another alternative, hook andloop type fastening closure systems could be utilized for this openableclosure. As a further alternative, snaps could be provided or bendablemetal closure elements. Any of a variety of different kind of closurescould be utilized including those which utilize adhesive forces, staticattraction forces, magnetic forces, mechanical fastening forces or otherforces to allow the openable closure to be opened and closed by theuser. The closure could be at an edge of the envelope or partiallyconcealed under a flap near an edge of the envelope.

In one embodiment, a pair of windows are provided in one surface of thereusable envelope which align with address spaces and return addressspaces on the greeting card. These windows are regions where thematerial forming the envelope are transparent, with remaining portionsof the envelope being opaque. In this way, the address and returnaddress for the envelope can be seen through these windows.

In a second embodiment for the reusable envelope, an outer surface ofthe material forming the envelope has a surface character whichreleasably allows adhesive backed materials to readily and securelystick thereto but also be removable without leaving any residue on theenvelope. In one form, this material could have a surface akin to thematerial which is provided on sticker mounting sheets. Often adhesivelabels are provided together on a single mounting sheet. The adhesivelabels have an adhesive on an undersurface thereof and the labels aremounted upon the mounting sheet. The mounting sheet has a surface finishwhich can be a form of wax paper, or can be in the form of other knownmaterials to which such an adhesive label can readily and securely stickto, but from which the label can be removed without damage to the label,and which can also have the label reattached and remain securely thereonuntil again peeled off.

By forming the envelope with an outer surface of such material, variousdifferent elements required for proper utilization of the envelopethrough the mail can be adhesively attached for a first use, and thenremoved and replaced with other attachments when reused. For instance, areturn address label can be placed in an upper left corner of a frontface of the envelope and stick securely to this material. When a usergrabs a corner of the label and applies a peeling motion to the label,it can be readily peeled off of the envelope. However, the postage, orother labels, will not become inadvertently dislodged. In a similarmanner, an address space can be fitted with an address label. Theaddress label can be applied and readily stick to a surface of theenvelope, but can also be removed after use leaving no trace on theenvelope.

Similarly, postage can be attached to the envelope in the upper rightcorner. Postage that is formed with the adhesive already in place,without requiring wetting, can be readily attached and removed from theenvelope. Illicit reuse of the postage is avoided in that the postage iscanceled by the postal service when the envelope passes through themail. The material on the outer surface of the envelope is preferably ofa type which can have a cancel stamp and other ink markings provided onthe envelope by the post office adhere thereto initially, but be readilyremovable, such as by wiping with a tissue, to leave the envelopesubstantially clean for reuse. In one embodiment, only the regions wherepostage or labels are to be applied is configured with the materialwhich releasably holds labels or postage, with other parts of theenvelope not so configured.

In a non-limiting embodiment, a scannable tag may also be printed in thestamp area, or another area, where at least a portion of said scannabletag may be covered slightly or completely by a label or postage, so thatwhen the receiver receives a card (greeting card or post card), they maysubsequently reveal a scannable tag that would have been otherwisehidden, at least to some extent—to attempt or try to maintain at leastsome privacy, of the media that would be displayed when the scannabletag is read, in particular with the reusable postcard, but may also beused in combination with the greeting card. Alternatively, the scannabletag can be or may be also password protected.

Most preferably, such a reusable envelope has a closure along an edgewhich has two surfaces which abut each other adjacent this openableedge. These adjacent surfaces can be fitted with hook and loop fastenermaterial to bring the two edges together and allow them to hold eachother securely. Alternatively, a flap can be provided to present thesurfaces for selective opening and resealing of the envelope.

If desired, some form of seal can be provided over this openable edge,such as a sticker passing over this edge and attaching to front and backsides of the envelope. Such a sticker would be removably attachable aswith other stickers due to the coating on the material. However, theseal sticker could be formed sufficiently thin and fragile that therelatively low forces required to peel the sticker from the envelope issufficient to destroy the seal sticker. In such a way, the potential fortampering with the mail is ameliorated.

Preferably, since an interior of the envelope will contain differentcontents at different times through repeated reuse, an antimicrobial orantibacterial agent is applied to an interior of the envelope before itsinitial use, to help in maintaining a sanitary environment within theenvelope. Such an antibacterial material could be in the form of a sprayof a liquid or gas applied directly into the envelope. As anotheralternative, a strip of antimicrobial agent bearing material could beinserted into the envelope with printing thereon instructing users toleave that strip within the envelope to continue to provide theantimicrobial benefits.

Most preferably, both a front and rear surface of the envelope have acommon surface material so that a return address sticker can similarlybe provided on a back side of the envelope. Also, any other stickerssuch as postage processing barcode stickers can readily be applied toand removed from such a reusable envelope. If desired, a hybrid of theinvention of this embodiment and other embodiments could be combinedtogether in various different combinations.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide acard, such as a greeting card or post card, which can be reused with anew recipient after a first use from a sender to a first recipient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an envelope whichcan be repeatedly opened and closed and reconfigured to be sent from adifferent sender to a different recipient after an initial use, formultiple reuses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combinationreusable card such as, but not limited to a greeting card or postcardand reusable envelope to allow customizable greetings to be sentmultiple times from different senders to different recipients.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize waste associatedwith discarding of envelopes and greeting cards after initial use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a greeting cardwhich can be coordinated with a recordable customizable electronicmessage, such as a video or audio message.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusableenvelope which securely keeps contents of the envelope closed whenintended to be closed, to prevent inadvertent opening, but that can bereadily opened and re-closed and reopened multiple times.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent froma careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims anddetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front and rear leaf of a reusablegreeting card according to a preferred embodiment of this invention,shown before an insert element is placed within a slot in the front leafthereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1, with aninsert element in the process of being placed within a slot in the frontleaf thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1, after theinsert has been fully placed within the slot in the front leaf and withportions thereof visible through a window in the front leaf.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reusable greeting card of FIG. 1,shown open to view both the front leaf and the rear leaf and with aninsert element not yet in place within a window of the front leaf.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4, but with theinsert in the process of being inserted into the slot in the front leaf.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 4,but after completely placing an insert into the slot in the front leaf.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a storage and usage system of this inventionwhich uses a smartphone and centralized data storage accessible over theinternet to allow customizable electronic greetings to be associatedwith the reusable greeting card.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart identifying the steps in creating and using mediafiles associated with the reusable greeting card to provide customizableelectronic greetings associated with the reusable greeting card.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a reusable envelope according to apreferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 9 andshowing an end thereof in an open configuration for placement ofcontents, such as the reusable greeting card of FIGS. 1-6, into aninterior of the reusable envelope.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 10,but from a reverse angle, and showing the opening into the reusableenvelope in an open configuration.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of an alternative reusable envelopewith a flap and configured for either resealable closure or permanentclosure.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view similar to that which is shown in FIG.12, but with the flap shown in a closed orientation.

FIGS. 14-27 are rear elevation views of a second alternative envelopeshowing a sequence of steps in multiple reuses of the reusable envelopeof this second alternative embodiment.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are front and rear elevation views of a specificexemplary embodiment of the greeting card of FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are front and rear elevation views of a specificexemplary embodiment of the reusable envelope of FIGS. 9-11.

FIGS. 32, 33, and 34 are front and rear elevation views of a furtherspecific exemplary embodiment of the reusable envelope of FIGS. 9-11.

FIGS. 35 and 36 are front and rear elevation views of a further specificexemplary embodiment of the reusable envelope for the postcard.

FIG. 37 is a combination front view and illustration showing theinsertion of the insert into the reusable envelope for the postcard.

FIG. 38 is a back view of the post card envelope indicating the areas ofinterest showing a non-limiting embodiment for the placement of thescannable tag.

FIG. 39 is a back view of the post card envelope indicating the areas ofinterest showing a non-limiting embodiment for the placement of thescannable tag.

FIG. 40 is a front elevation view of a reusable envelope according to anembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 10,but from a reverse angle, and showing the opening into a reusableenvelope in an open configuration.

FIG. 42 is a rear elevation view of an alternative reusable envelopewith a flap and configured for either resealable closure or permanentclosure.

FIG. 43 is a is a perspective view of a reusable envelope or package.

FIG. 44 is another perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention for reusable envelope or package with an interlocking closure.

FIG. 45 is a front view of a reusable label of another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10is directed to a reusable greeting card according to a preferredembodiment of this invention (FIGS. 1-6). The reusable greeting card 10can both be used multiple times and also can be customized to allowrepeated modification by a sender to be appropriate for sending to avariety of unique recipients, such that the greeting card does not needto be discarded, but rather can be reused multiple times. A reusableenvelope 110 (FIGS. 9-11) is also associated with this invention. Thereusable envelope 110 is preferably sized to receive the reusablegreeting card 10 therein and can be utilized multiple times fromdifferent senders and recipients. In this way, greetings can beexchanged between senders and recipients with a single greeting card 10and reusable envelope 110 each used multiple times.

In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, basic details ofthe reusable greeting card 10 are described, according to this mostpreferred embodiment. The greeting card 10 includes multiple leavesincluding a front leaf 20 and a rear leaf 30 which are hinged togetherabout a fold 40. The front leaf 20 is configured to receive an insert 50therein. A window 28 in the front leaf 20 allows printed material on theinsert 50 to be viewed through the window 28, preferably both from afront of the card 10 and when the card 10 is open so that an insidesurface of the front leaf 20 is being viewed. The insert 50 can beremoved and replaced with other inserts 50 having different greetings ordifferent decorations thereon, such that the basic greeting associatedwith the greeting card 10 can be selected by the sender to provide aunique greeting to the sender's unique recipient.

The rear leaf 30 provides a customizable greetings space which can bewritten upon in an erasable or removable fashion to provide a modifiablemessage. This customizable greeting space also preferably includes ascannable tag 38 which can be scanned by a smartphone 70 to facilitatethe recording and presentation of media such as a video or audio filefrom the sender to the recipient. Details of this system are shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. The particular media files can be erased and replacedwhen the greeting card 10 is reused, such that further customizabilityof the greeting card 10 and overall reusable greeting experience isfacilitated.

The reusable envelope 110 includes multiple spaces on a front surfacethereof, such as a return space 120, address space 130 and postage space140. These spaces 120, 130, 140 are each provided with a surfacematerial of a releasable holding character, such as that provided by aunique coating, which readily releases adhesive backed structures suchas postage, return labels and address labels 135. Thus, these spaces120, 130, 140 can have a label 125, 135 or postage 145 placed thereonwhich will hold securely, but which can later be peeled away when reuseof the envelope 110 is desired. The reusable envelope 110 also has anopen edge 115. A resealable closure 150 is associated with the openingat this open edge 115 which can selectively hold the open edge 115closed or allow the open edge 115 to be opened multiple times, to securethe greeting card 10 or other contents within the open space inside ofthe reusable envelope 110. Alternative envelopes 210, 310 (FIGS. 12-27)reveal further alternative systems and apparatuses for repeatedlyresealing the open edge 115 of the reusable envelope 110 or alternativereusable envelopes 210, 310.

More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-6, basicdetails of the reusable greeting card 10 are described, according tothis most preferred embodiment. The reusable greeting card 10 has atleast two leaves including a front leaf 20 and a rear leaf 30. The frontleaf 20 defines a preferred form of a holder for a first substantiallyplanar sheet and the rear leaf 30 defines a preferred form of a secondsubstantially planar sheet for this invention. Conceivably, furtherleaves or other planar sheets could also be added. The leaves 20, 30 arehinged together about a fold 40 which attaches the leaves 20, 30together along an edge thereof and allows the leaves 20, 30 to pivotrelative to each other. If more than two leaves 20, 30 are provided,either the same hinge 40 or different hinges at different locations canjoin such additional leaves to one or more of the leaves 20, 30.

The front leaf 20 is rectangular in this preferred embodiment. The frontleaf 20 is formed by two separate planar layers of material with a gaptherebetween. This gap is accessible through a slot 22 shown at an upperedge of the front leaf 20 in this embodiment. The slot 22 could beprovided on other edges of the front leaf 20 if desired, includingeither side edge or the bottom edge. The slot 22 is preferablysufficiently large to allow the insert 50 to be slidably placed into andout of the slot 22 for selective access into the gap between the twolayers of material forming the front leaf 20.

The front leaf 20 also includes a window 28 formed in at least one ofthe layers of material on either side of the gap which is accessedthrough the slot 22. Most preferably, this window 28 extends throughboth layers of material. The window 28 can merely be an open space orcan be closed by a transparent layer, such as transparent film. Portionsof the insert 50 can be viewed through the window 28 when the insert 50is placed through the slot 22 into the gap between the layers ofmaterial forming the front leaf 20. Most preferably, the insert 50 hasprinting on both sides so that the window 28 facilitates viewing of bothsides of the insert 50, through either a front side of the front leaf 20or a rear side of the front leaf 20 within an interior of the card 10.

Most preferably, the window 28 covers a majority of the surface area ofthe front leaf 20, but less than all of the surface area of the frontleaf 20. In this preferred embodiment a border is provided in the formof an outer border 24 on an outside of the front leaf 20 and an innerborder 26 on an inner side of the front leaf 20. These borders 24, 26are preferably similar in size and shape and location so that the window28 passes through adjacent portions of the two layers of materialforming the front leaf 20. The borders 24, 26 help to hold the insert 50within the gap in the front leaf 20 and act as guides when the insert 50is being passed through the slot 22 into or out of the front leaf 20. Insome alternative embodiments, the front leaf (and optionally also therear leaf 30) is formed as a clear pouch of plastic or other material sothat all or part of the insert 50 can be seen through the clear frontleaf 20. A rear leaf 30 insert is fitted into a corresponding rear clearpouch optionally replacing the rear leaf 30, with such clear pouchesbeing hinged together to match the general configuration for the card 10as described elsewhere herein.

In the embodiment shown, the outer border 24 has a series of holestherein. These holes allow portions of the insert 50 which are hidden bythe outer border 24 to be visible through these holes. In the embodimentshown, these holes are circular. In other embodiments, the holes couldhave other shapes which could be a repeating pattern of similar shapesor unique shapes.

In one embodiment the outer border 24 is formed of a more neutral colorthan color on portions of the insert 50 which are covered by the outerborder 24. The insert 50 has a certain color scheme and the portions ofthe insert 50 which are covered by the outer border 24 are provided witha complementary color to this color scheme. In this way, portions of theinsert shine through the holes in the outer border 24 to provide a colorwhich is complementary with the color scheme of other portions of theinsert 50. The inner border 26 (FIG. 4) also has holes therein which canbe the same shape or a different shape than the holes in the outerborder 24. The inner border 26 has holes therein to provide the samefunction as the holes in the outer border 24, but which allow portionsof an inner portion of the insert 50 to shine therethrough when theinsert 50 is placed within the gap in the front leaf 20.

While the outer border 24 and inner border 26 preferably have similarshapes, they could have differing shapes and sizes so that the window 28has a different shape passing through an outer layer of material formingthe front leaf 20 than the form of the window 28 passing through theinner layer of material in the front leaf 20. If desired, multiplewindows 28 could be provided in the front leaf 20, such as a pair ofwindows 28 which are approximately half as wide and of similar height asthe window 28. Inserts 50 of correspondingly narrower form could beinserted into such a pair of windows. In a similar way, three or morewindows could be provided in the front leaf 20. The window in the frontleaf 20 could be offset so that the window that passes through the frontlayer of the front leaf 20 is offset from the window in the inner layerof the front leaf 20 with separate inserts being viewed through theseparate windows rather than a single insert being viewed through bothportions of the window simultaneously.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-6, details of the rear leaf 30 aredescribed, according to this most preferred embodiment. The rear leaf 30is preferably also formed from a pair of layers of material with apocket 32 located between these two layers in the rear leaf 30. Thispocket 32 is preferably sized similar to a size of the insert 50. Thepocket 32 can store one or more alternative inserts 50. These inserts 50within the pocket 32 would not be visible, but could be selected by auser when the user is wishing to customize the greeting card 10 for anew recipient.

The pocket 32 can be omitted if desired and the user can purchase orotherwise supply their own insert 50 for reuse of the greeting card 10.

The rear leaf 30 has a front surface 34 generally facing the inner sideof the front leaf 20. The rear leaf 30 has a rear surface 36 oppositethe front surface 34 which is not shown in FIGS. 1-6. This rear surface36 can be a location where instructions for use of the reusable greetingcard 10 can be provided, and other information about the reusablegreeting card 10 can be printed thereon. Alternatively, othercustomizable elements similar to those provided on the front surface 34of the rear leaf 30 could also extend onto the rear surface 36. Addressspaces could also be on such a rear surface 36, which could be onremovable or erasable surfaces and positioned to shine through windowsin an envelope, such as at an address space and a return address space.

The rear leaf 30 generally provides a customizable greetings space whichdefines a portion of the reusable greeting card 10 which can becustomized by the sender or particular recipient to provide a modifiablemessage. Such customizing can include something as simple as a signatureof the sender, or can include a personal note in the sender's ownhandwriting.

If a written message is to be provided, the customizable greeting spaceaccommodates such a written message in a variety of ways. In onemethodology, an erasable panel 31 is provided on the customizablegreeting space. This erasable panel 31 could be in the form of a dryerase surface with which dry erase markers can be used in a write on andwipe off fashion. The erasable panel 31 could be in the form of achalkboard-type material which can accommodate writing with chalkthereon which can be subsequently erased away. The erasable panel 31 canbe in the form of a surface which readily allows pencil lead to bemarked thereon and which can be readily erased with a standard pencileraser for full erasure of any message. Other erasable writingtechnology could also be integrated into the erasable panel 31,including either erasable writing technology known in the prior art orhereafter developed.

Another form of customizable greetings space element includes a stack ofremovable notes 33. Such a stack of separate notes are stacked one uponthe other with an adhesive on a rear side of each sheet of notes. Thesender would write a customizable note, such as with ink, on a top note.When the reusable greeting card 10 is to be reused, the individual whowill reuse the greeting card 10 removes the top sheet from the removablenote stack 33, leaving a fresh note at the top of the stack for writingof a new customizable message. A number of sheets in the stack 33 cangenerally correspond with a number of times that the reusable greetingcard 10 is intended to be reused. It is also conceivable that such notescould be replenished from a separate supply should the originalinventory of removable notes in the stack 33 be depleted. In one form ofthe invention, this stack 33 is generally square in form and is similarin shape and construction as many sticky notes such as those providedunder the trademark POST-IT by the 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn.

The erasable panel 31 and removable note stack 33 could be suppliedalone or in combination on the customizable greeting space, such as onthe front surface 34 of the rear leaf 30. The size and position of theerasable panel 31 and removable note stack 33 can also be customizedwith the orientation shown in FIGS. 4-6 being merely exemplary. In oneembodiment, the entire front surface 34 is in the form of an erasablepanel 31 utilizing one of the erasable marking technologies identifiedabove. The removable note stack 33 can be attached to some portion ofthis erasable panel 31, such as by using the adhesive on the back of alowermost note in the stack 33.

Preferably, the customizable greeting space also includes a scannabletag 38. This scannable tag 38 is some form of tag which can be machineread and correspond with a unique ID number. One form of such tag 38 isknown as a “QR code” tag. Preferably, this tag 38 also identifies a URL(Uniform Resource Locator) associated with the world wide web of theinternet, or some other generally analogous telecommunications systemthrough which communications between electronic devices can occur. Thistag 38 facilitates a further presentation of a customizable greetingfrom a sender to a recipient. In some embodiments, the tag 38 is printedon the card 10. Alternatively, the tag 38 is provided on a removablesticker. When the card 10 is reused a new sticker can be optionallypurchased or otherwise supplied and placed upon or otherwise sent withthe card 10.

In particular, and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, in one embodiment ofthe invention the following methodology is implemented. A media storageand usage system 60 is provided which includes a smartphone 70 whichincludes a camera 72 and a display 74 thereon and which is also capableof accessing the internet. Initially, a user who desires to provide acustomizable greeting associated with the card 10, takes the user'ssmartphone 70 and orients the camera 72 facing the scannable tag 38(along arrow B of FIG. 7). The smartphone 70 recognizes the tag 38 andaccesses a web page on the internet which is associated with a centraldata storage location. The display 74 of the smartphone 70 providesinstructions to the user such as providing a record button and promptingthe user to push the record button and then to provide a personalgreeting. The user pushes the “record” button and then can provide arecordable data file in the form of text and/or video specifically forthe recipient. When the content recording is complete, the user can pushthe “record” button again or some other form of “end record” button tocause the recording to stop.

The sound and/or video file is recorded and stored at a central datastorage location. This data file has a unique ID associated with itwhich matches the unique ID associated with the tag 38. When a recipientlater receives the greeting card 10, the recipient can use therecipient's smartphone 70 to point the camera 72 at the tag 38. Thesmartphone 70 then accesses the same web site through the prompting ofthe tag 38 and the unique ID associated with the tag 38 causes thecentral data storage to call up the data file associated with thatunique tag 38. The media file in the form of a video or audio message isthen played for the recipient. The recipient can be provided with otheroptions such as to save the greeting permanently, copy the greeting andtransfer it for storage on a smartphone 70 or have the greeting emailedto the recipient or to some other designated address selected by therecipient.

When the reusable greeting card 10 is to be reused, the recipient orsome other individual who will be reusing the greeting card can againscan the tag 38 with a smartphone 70. When the portal to the centraldata storage is accessed, rather than selecting for the playing of themessage, a separate selection can be made to re-record the message. Anew recording of sound and/or audio is then provided within the centraldata storage which replaces the previous file and is again associatedwith this tag 38. Then, when the greeting card 10 is resent to a newindividual, this new recipient can then be a consumer of the new uniquemedia file in the manner described above.

As another alternative, the card itself can contain a sound fileinventory and a sound file player. The sender can select a file that isplayed when the card 10 is opened. In one form, the sound file isautomatically coordinated with the insert 50, such as by putting amagnetic strip on the bottom of each insert 50 and having a readeradjacent the gap in the front leaf 20 to read the strip and cause thesound player to play the appropriate sound associated with the insert50.

The insert 50 associated with the greeting card 10 preferably is asingle rectangular sheet sized to fit within the gap in the front leaf20 accessed through the slot 22. The insert 50 includes an outer surface52 opposite an inner surface 54. Preferably, the outer surface 52includes a first portion of a greeting and the inner surface 54 includesa second portion of a greeting. For instance, if the greeting is in theform of poetry, one-half of the poem might be provided on the outersurface 52 and a second half of the poem might be provided on the innersurface 54. If the greeting is in the form of a joke, or a riddle, ariddle question or first half of the joke can be provided on the outersurface 52 and a riddle answer or second half of the joke can beprovided on the inner surface 54. The outer surface 52 and inner surface54 thus have messages which are correlated together and which come in atwo part format.

A border space 53 surrounds the outer surface 52 and a border space 55surrounds the inner surface 54. These border spaces 53, 55 havecoloration and other potential markings which are configured to bevisible through the holes in the outer border 24 and inner border 26 inthe front leaf 20. The border space 53, 55 keeps the insert 50 securelyheld within the front leaf 20 and also provides a mechanism by whichcolor coordination of a color scheme provided on the outer surface 52and inner surface 54 of the insert 50 can be coordinated and more fullyintegrated into portions of the front leaf 20 to generally provide theappearance that the insert 50 and front leaf 20 are an integrated whole,rather than two disjointed separate parts.

In one embodiment the greeting card 10 is provided with a store ofinserts 50 located within the pocket 32. For instance, a dozen separateinserts 50 could be provided within the pocket 32 with differentgreetings on the different inserts. Some inserts could be in the form ofbirthday greetings, others could be in the form of holiday greetings,others could be in the form of special event greetings such asgraduation greetings, consolation greetings, friendship greetings, andother greetings known in the greetings art or developed in the future.As another alternative, or in addition to this storage of multipleinserts 50 within the pocket 32, store which sells the reusable greetingcard 10 can also sell packages of inserts 50 so that users can go to astore (or online store) and purchase new inserts 50 for use with thereusable greeting card 10. If desired, a user can customize the insert50, such as by writing directly upon the insert 50. When the recipientchooses to reuse the greeting card 10, the insert 50 can be removed andkept by the recipient and then a new insert 50 can be used when thefirst recipient chooses to resend the greeting card 10 to anotherrecipient.

With particular reference to FIGS. 9-11, particular details of thereusable envelope 110 according to a preferred embodiment of thisinvention, are described. The reusable envelope 110 preferably has agenerally rectangular shape but could have other shapes known in theenvelope arts or later developed. The envelope 110 has a basicconfiguration including a front panel 112 opposite a rear panel 114which are joined together at a perimeter 116. At least one of the edgesof the perimeter 116 is defined as an open edge 115. In the embodimentshown, the right edge of the perimeter 116 of the envelope 110 is theopen edge 115, defining an opening into an open space inside theenvelope 110.

The reusable envelope 110 includes at least one space thereon which isconfigured with a coating or outer surface formed of a material which ischaracterized by being able to releasably hold an adhesive backedstructure thereon. In one embodiment the entire front 112 of theenvelope 110 is formed of such a material or provided with such acoating or other releasable holding layer. In one embodiment, this layeris merely a wax paper coating. In another embodiment this layer isformed of a similar material to that which has labels or stickersmounted thereon before their use. Such “backing” material ischaracterized for being able to hold to an adhesive with some force butnot so much force that the material is destroyed when the adhesivebacked material is removed. This characteristic of the front 112 surfaceof the envelope 110 allows labels and postage to be removably attachedto the envelope 110.

While in one embodiment the entire front 112 is so configured with thisreleasability layer or characteristic, in the preferred embodiment atleast three separate spaces are provided with this characteristic. Thesespaces include a return space 120 generally in an upper left corner ofthe front 112, an address space 130 generally in a lower portion of thefront 112 generally closer to the right edge than to the left edge, anda postage space 140 generally in an upper right corner of the front 112.These spaces 120, 130, 140 in this embodiment are configured to includethe layer or coating which releasably holds adhesive thereon.

A return label 125 can be placed on the return space 120. The returnlabel 125 is typically any standard label which is formed of cellulosicmaterial or other material and has a rear surface with an adhesivethereon. Because of the character of the layer or coating on the returnspace 120, the return label 125 can be placed on the return space 120and holds securely thereto. However, the return label 125 can also bereadily peeled off of the return space 120 without damage to the returnspace 120.

Similarly, an address label 135 is provided which can be removablyattached in a similar fashion to the address space 130. Also, postage145 of the type which is preformed with adhesive thereon and ready tostick without wetting, can attach to the postage space 140 and bereadily removed for replacement with additional postage. Preferably, thepostage space 140 is sufficiently large so that cancellation marks whichare used to cancel the postage 145, and also to record receipt of theenvelope 110 into the postage system, are printed or applied through asticker onto the postage space 140. The character of the coating orlabel forming the postage space 140 is such that any label placedthereon can be peeled away and any printing made directly thereon withink does not readily hold to the material but can be wiped away such aswith a tissue. Because cancellation marks will remain on the postagethat has been used, the postage remains canceled and must be discarded(or collected but not useful as postage) and new postage can be placedon or onto the envelope 110.

In some alternative embodiments, a large releasable blank label isprovided at the postage space 140, large enough for both the postage andany postal service markings applied as part of the mail processingsystem. Then this label can be removed along with the canceled postageand other markings and a new blank label applied for envelope 110 reuse.

If desired, the address label 135 can be moved to the return space 120when the reusable envelope 110 is to be reused by the recipient forsending to a new recipient. If the recipient intends to reuse thereusable envelope 110 to send back to the original sender, the returnaddress label 125 can be moved to the address space 130. In such afashion, even the address label 135 and return label 125 can conceivablybe reused. In one embodiment of the invention, a rear 114 of theenvelope 110 (or at least a space thereon) can also be configured withthe same coating or layer having the releasable characteristic describedabove.

The open edge 115 of the reusable envelope 110 preferably includes aresealable closure 150 associated therewith. In this way, the open edge115 can be opened for placement of contents into the reusable envelope110, such as the reusable greeting card 10. This resealable closure 150can then be transitioned to a closed configuration to seal the reusableenvelope 110 closed and to keep contents safely therein. In oneembodiment this resealable closure 150 is fitted with complemental hookand loop fastener technology such as that provided under the trademarkVELCRO provided by Velcro Industries B.V. of Curacao, Netherlands. Asanother alternative, one side of the open edge 115 can be provided withthe same releasable holding material provided on the return space 120,address space 130 and postage space 140, with an opposite facing portionof the open edge 115 formed with a releasable adhesive similar to thatprovided on a rear surface of labels and postage. In such an embodimentthe same resealable closure mechanism to provide a closure holdingforce, is provided at the open edge 115 as is provided at the returnspace 120, address space 130 and postage space 140.

With particular reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, details of an alternativeenvelope 210 are described. This alternative envelope 210 can have afront panel and rear panel similar to that of the reusable envelope 110(FIGS. 9-11). Uniquely, this alternative envelope 210 includes a rear230 with a flap 240 extending therefrom adjacent an opening into aninterior of the envelope 210. The flap 240 has a front 242 opposite arear 243. Openings 260 pass through this flap 240. In one embodimentthese openings 260 form a letters or a word, such as the word “AGAIN” ora trademark or other graphic. In some embodiments, the openings 260 formsome other pattern, block or box, or other area for a semi-hiddenscannable tag that may be partially or completely hidden. The rear 230includes a release agent panel 235 similar to the return space 120,address space 130 or postage space 140 of the envelope 110 (FIGS. 9-11).

An adhesive panel 270 is placed on the front 242 of the flap 240 overthe openings 260. Thus, portions of the adhesive panel 270 extendthrough the openings 260 and come into contact with the release agentpanel 235. In this way, the flap 240 can be selectively closed andopened, which may also serve to cover at least a portion of a scannabletag contained therewithin.

As an alternative, or in addition, permanent adhesive 250 can beprovided in panels, such as on lateral ends of the flap 240. If a userdesires to have a higher degree of security in closing the envelope 110,but at the expense of reusability, the permanent adhesive 250 can beutilized, such as be wetting a wettable adhesive, or by removing a coveroff of a permanent adhesive, so that the permanent adhesive 250 cansecurely close the flap 240 against the rear 230 in a permanent fashion.The envelope 210 would then be opened in a destructive fashion, such asby tearing open when such a permanent adhesive 250 has been used.

With particular reference to FIGS. 14-27, details of a secondalternative envelope 310 are described. The second alternative envelope310 has a front panel and rear panel similar to the envelope 110 (FIGS.9-11). Uniquely, the second alternative envelope 310 has a rear 320 witha flap 330 extending therefrom. This flap 330 has a series of separatestubs joined together by perforations 331 or other zones of weaknesswith lesser strength than adjacent material. Each stub is preferably asimilarly sized structure. The flap 330 has a long form with multiplestubs oriented parallel to each other. Each stub has a permanentadhesive thereon. A user would initially encounter the envelope 310 asviewed in FIG. 14. Contents would be provided into an interior of theenvelope 310. A use then wets or otherwise activates a stub 332 at adistal end of the flap 330 and folds the flap 330 closed (FIG. 15). Whenthe envelope 310 is to be opened, the perforation adjacent the stub 332is torn and the flap 330 pivoted open (FIG. 16). The stub 332 remainsadhered to the rear 320 of the envelope 310, but other portions of theflap 330 pivot open (FIG. 16).

When the envelope 310 is to be reused, the second stub 334 is wetted orotherwise activated, and the shortened flap 333 is closed onto the rear320 of the envelope 310. When the envelope 310 is to be again opened,the flap 330 is torn at a second perforation leaving the second stub 334on the rear 320 of the envelope 310, and the second shortened flap 335is allowed to pivot open to provide access into an interior of theenvelope 310.

In FIG. 19 the envelope 310 has been again closed by wetting orotherwise activating of the third stub 336 and closing it against therear 320 (FIG. 19). To open the envelope 310, a perforation adjacentthis third stub 336 is torn, leaving the three stubs 332, 334, 336remaining on the rear 320 and the remaining shortened flap 337 pivotedopen. Further usage involves closing of the flap 337, after activationof the fourth stub 338. When the envelope 310 is to be again opened, thefourth stub 338 is torn from the flap 337 to leave a shorter flap 339which can be pivoted open (FIG. 22). Another closure of the shortenedflap 339 can occur (FIG. 23) and with wetting or other activation of afifth panel 340 allowing secure closure.

When the envelope 310 is to be again opened, the stub 340 is allowed toremain on the rear 320, with tearing above the stub 340 to allow onlythe shortened flap 341 to pivot open. As depicted in FIG. 25, thisshortened flap 341 can again be sealed closed, such as by wetting orother activation of a sixth stub 342 (FIG. 26). When reopening isdesired, the remaining flap 343 can be pivoted open, leaving the sixthstub 342 adhered to the rear 320 of the envelope 310. Finally, theremaining flap 343 can be closed against the rear 320 for a final usageof the envelope 310, such as by wetting or other activation of anadhesive on this final flap 343. In this embodiment, such an envelope310 can be utilized seven times with secure sealing each time. With agreater number of stubs still more re-usages could be facilitated.

In FIGS. 35 and 36, a reusable envelope 35-110 for the card (thepostcard or other insert) according to some embodiments is shown. Inthese front views, the first planar panel 35-1 is shown with a cut outor see-through area 35-2 that allows for at least a portion of an insertto be viewed. In FIG. 36, a scannable tag 36-38 is shown through thecut-out/see-through area 35-2 or on the envelope closure 36-240, both asnon-limiting embodiments. The back panel of the reusable envelope 35-110is shown as 35-3, with a portion reusable adhesive shown 36-4. Note:both the front and rear panel may be coated with reusable adhesive incorresponding areas.

The scannable tag 36-38 may be placed in an area on the envelope thatcan be read through the see through area 35-2. The tag 36-38 is readablefor example by the device of FIG. 7 and in the manner shown in FIGS. 7and 8, however the insert 37-1 may be inserted between said first(front) and second (back) panel, 35-1 and 36-3, respectively. Byinserting the insert, at least a portion of the scannable tag 36-38 iscovered to provide at least some privacy for the sender and/or receiverof the media or multimedia file associated with the scannable tag.Further, in some examples, at least a portion of the graphic, painting,illustration, photo or image/message of a traditional postcard (insert37-1) is viewable through the cut-out/see-through area (35-2), whilstcovering the scannable tag 36-38). FIG. 37 is a combination front viewand illustration showing the insertion of the insert into the reusableenvelope for the postcard.

FIG. 38 is a back view of the post card envelope indicating the areas ofinterest showing a non-limiting embodiment for the placement of thescannable tag. There are areas for address labels (38-120 and 38-130),postage (38-140), an area for a note, message or illustration (38-1), anarea for official postal use/cancellation bar area (38-2), and an areafor a scannable tag area 36-38, that can be subsequently hidden by saidlabels, postage, notes, or other coverings, such that the scannable tag36-38 is at least partially covered so that the scannable tag is noteasily readable until the sender/recipient intends to view thecorresponding media/multimedia file associated with said scannable tag.For added privacy, the scannable tag may also be password protected. Insome embodiments, an ink free barcode area is provided which extendslaterally along a bottom region of the envelope.

FIG. 39 is a back view of the post card envelope indicating the areas ofinterest as previously discussed in FIGS. 35 through 38, showing anon-limiting embodiment for the placement of the scannable tag area36-38.

FIG. 40 is a front elevation view of a reusable envelope according to anembodiment of this invention. The reusable envelope 40-110 has aspecialized area (40-140) that allows postage (145) to be permanentlyaffixed to the reusable envelope for a fixed number of reuses (40-140),1, 2, 3, 4, etc. uses, for example. The reusable envelope has areas forother labels (120 and 130), where the addressee or return labels, 134and 125, respectively be removably placed on said envelope 40-110. Insome examples, the specialized area has markings thereon defining aplurality of postage receiving areas, such as boxes. In someembodiments, a surface region, which has the releasable holdingcharacter as described herein which readily releases adhesive backedstructures, is provided on the front of the envelope either selectivelyon areas 120 and 130, or substantially over the entire area of the frontof the envelope. However, the specialized area is made from a materialomitting the releasable holding character and is sized for permanentlyholding postage thereon to allow postage to be successively permanentlyaffixed for the fixed number of reuses of the envelope. In some otherembodiments, a surface region, which has the releasable holdingcharacter, is provided on areas of the front of the envelope includingspecialized area 40-140 and is configured such that the postagereceiving area becomes a permanent layer upon contact with the postageon the postage receiving area.

FIG. 41 is a front elevation of an envelope according to someembodiments and shows the opening into the reusable envelope in an openconfiguration. The envelope is equipped with a zone of permanentadhesive substantially covering the flap of the envelope 41-1. In thisparticular non-limiting embodiment, the permanent adhesive zone is anarc shape 41-1, but any other shape substantially covering at or aboutor near the perimeter of the envelope's closure flap (41-410) isenvisaged that allows for a permanent closure and thereby provides theuser with the option to permanently close the reusable envelope shouldthe user so desire.

FIG. 42 is a rear elevation view of an alternative reusable envelope.The envelope has a flap and is configured for either resealable closureor permanent closure whereby the closure is closable with the reusableadhesive (235) or permanent adhesive (250 or 41-1). FIG. 42 shows theopening into the reusable envelope in an closed configuration. Theenvelope is equipped with a zone of permanent adhesive substantiallycovering the flap of the envelope 41-1. In this particular non-limitingembodiment an arc shape is shown 41-1, but any other shape substantiallycovering at or about or near the perimeter of the envelope's closureflap (41-410) are envisaged that allow for a permanent closure andthereby provides the user with the option to permanently close thereusable envelope should the user so desire.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a reusable envelope or package (43-1)with areas for removably applied labels (125 and 135) according to someembodiments. The package (43-1) also includes a specialized area thatallows postage (145) to be permanently affixed to the reusable envelopefor a fixed number of reuses (40-140). The reusable envelope has areasfor other labels (120 and 130), where the addressee or return labels,134 and 125, respectively be removably placed on said envelope 40-110.In some examples, the specialized area has markings thereon defining aplurality of postage receiving areas, such as boxes. In someembodiments, a surface region, which has the releasable holdingcharacter as described herein which readily releases adhesive backedstructures, is provided on the front of the envelope either selectivelyon areas 120 and 130, or substantially over the entire area of the frontof the envelope. However, the specialized area is made from a materialomitting the releasable holding character and is sized for permanentlyholding postage thereon to allow postage to be successively permanentlyaffixed for the fixed number of reuses of the envelope. In some otherembodiments, a surface region, which has the releasable holdingcharacter, is provided on areas of the front of the envelope includingspecialized area 40-140 and is configured such that the postagereceiving area becomes a permanent layer upon contact with the postageon the postage receiving area.

FIG. 44 is another perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention for reusable envelope or package with an interlocking closureflaps 44-2. This embodiment has a specialized area 40-140 that allowspostage (145) to be permanently affixed to the reusable envelope for afixed number of reuses (40-140), 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. uses, for example. Thereusable envelope has areas for other labels (120 and 130), where theaddressee or return labels, 134 and 125, respectively be removablyplaced on said envelope 40-110. In some examples, the specialized areahas markings thereon defining a plurality of postage receiving areas,such as boxes. In some embodiments, a surface region, which has thereleasable holding character as described herein which readily releasesadhesive backed structures, is provided on the front of the envelopeeither selectively on areas 120 and 130, or substantially over theentire area of the front of the envelope. However, the specialized areais made from a material omitting the releasable holding character and issized for permanently holding postage thereon to allow postage to besuccessively permanently affixed for the fixed number of reuses of theenvelope. In some other embodiments, a surface region, which has thereleasable holding character, is provided on areas of the front of theenvelope including specialized area 40-140 and is configured such thatthe postage receiving area becomes a permanent layer upon contact withthe postage on the postage receiving area.

FIG. 45 is a front view of a reusable label of another embodiment of thepresent invention where this embodiment includes a specialized area thatallows postage (145) to be permanently affixed to the reusable envelopefor a fixed number of reuses (40-140), 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. uses, forexample. The reusable envelope has areas for other labels (120 and 130),where the addressee or return labels, 134 and 125, respectively beremovably placed on said envelope 40-110. In some examples, thespecialized area has markings thereon defining a plurality of postagereceiving areas, such as boxes. In some embodiments, a surface region,which has the releasable holding character as described herein whichreadily releases adhesive backed structures, is provided on the front ofthe envelope either selectively on areas 120 and 130, or substantiallyover the entire area of the front of the envelope. However, thespecialized area is made from a material omitting the releasable holdingcharacter and is sized for permanently holding postage thereon to allowpostage to be successively permanently affixed for the fixed number ofreuses of the envelope. In some other embodiments, a surface region,which has the releasable holding character, is provided on areas of thefront of the envelope including specialized area 40-140 and isconfigured such that the postage receiving area becomes a permanentlayer upon contact with the postage on the postage receiving area.

The aforementioned embodiments provide truly reusable envelopes whichcan be easily reused multiple times either with a reusable card such asa greeting card or postcard or other reusable contents, or with singleuse contents.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of theinvention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thusdescribed the invention in this way, it should be apparent that variousdifferent modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. Forinstance, the alternative and exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 28-39further depict variations of this invention. When structures areidentified as a means to perform a function, the identification isintended to include all structures which can perform the functionspecified. When structures of this invention are identified as beingcoupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to includethe structures being coupled directly together or coupled togetherthrough intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent ortemporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allowspivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing someform of attachment, unless specifically restricted.

1. A reusable envelope, comprising in combination: a front planar paneland a rear planar panel; said panels adjacent each other with an openspace therebetween; said open space sized to removably receive contentstherein; said front panel of said envelope including at least onesurface region, wherein said surface region is formed of a materialwhich releasably holds an adhesively backed structure thereon located onsaid front panel and in a manner allowing the adhesively backedstructure to be removed and a new adhesively backed structure to beapplied; and said envelope having an opening into said open space, saidopening including a resealable closure.
 2. The envelope of claim 1,wherein said at least one surface region comprises at least one surfaceregion located on said front panel in a location specified for postageplacement and wherein said adhesively backed structure comprisespostage.
 3. The envelope of claim 1, wherein said at least one surfaceregion comprises at least one surface region located on said front panelin a location specified for address placement and wherein saidadhesively backed structure comprises an address label.
 4. The envelopeof claim 1, wherein said at least one surface region comprises at leastone surface region located on said front panel in a location specifiedfor return address placement and wherein said adhesively backedstructure comprises a return label.
 6. The envelope of claim 1, whereinsaid front panel of said envelope has a single said surface region. 7.The envelope of claim 6, wherein said front panel of said envelope has asingle said surface region which is provided substantially over theentire area of the front of the envelope.
 8. The envelope of claim 7,wherein said adhesively backed structure is a single label for postageand/or any postal service markings.
 9. The envelope of claim 1, saidfront panel of said envelope includes a plurality of said surfaceregions, said surface regions being located on said front panel and in amanner allowing a plurality of said adhesively backed structures to beselectively removed and new adhesively backed structures to beselectively applied.
 10. The envelope of claim 9, wherein saidadhesively backed structures comprise postage, address labels, or returnaddress labels, or any combination thereof, and wherein said surfaceregions comprise surface regions located on said front panel inlocations specified for postage placement, address placement, or returnaddress placement, or any combination thereof.
 11. The envelope of claim1 wherein said envelope includes a flap adjacent said opening whichpivots between an open orientation leaving said opening accessible and aclosed orientation where said flap covers said opening and leaves saidopening inaccessible.
 12. The envelope of claim 11 wherein saidresealable closure includes a panel of releasable adhesive and a regionof releasable material which are adapted to provide a holding force whenin contact with each other, one of said releasable adhesive and saidreleasable coating region located on a surface of a flap adjacent saidopening and the other of said releasable adhesive and said region ofreleasable material on a portion of a rear of said envelope adjacent andopposite said flap, said flap also including at least one permanentadhesive thereon, such that a user can selectively choose whether toutilize a permanent adhesive or a resealable adhesive when closing saidenvelope.
 13. The envelope of claim 11 wherein said envelope includes aflap adjacent said opening, said flap adapted to overlie said openingwhen in a closed orientation and reveal said opening for access throughsaid opening when said flap is in an open orientation, said flap havinga rear surface which has multiple separate stub regions coupled togetherthrough zones of weakness therebetween along which said stubs can beremoved from each other, each said stub including a permanent adhesivethereon.
 14. The envelope of claim 11, wherein said envelope has an areaon the surface of the said envelope, wherein a scannable tag may beplaced.
 15. The envelope of claim 14, further comprising an area wherethe scannable tag is covered by at least a portion of at least one saidadhesively backed structure to at least provide some privacy for saidscannable tag.
 16. The envelope of claim 15, wherein the user may removethe said adhesive backed structure to expose enough of the scannable tagsuch that the scannable tag is readable and links the user to themultimedia message previously recorded or uploaded.
 17. A reusableenvelope, comprising in combination: a front planar panel and a rearplanar panel; said panels adjacent each other with an open spacetherebetween; said open space sized to removably receive contentstherein; said front panel of said envelope including at least onesurface region which is is formed of a material which releasably holdspostage thereon in a manner allowing the postage to be removed and newpostage applied; and said envelope having an opening into said openspace, said opening including a resealable closure.
 18. The envelope ofclaim 17 wherein said at least one surface region is a single surfaceregion provided substantially over the entire area of the front of theenvelope.
 19. The envelope of claim 18, wherein said single surfaceregion is formed of a material which releasably holds an adhesivelybacked structure thereon.
 20. The envelope of claim 19, wherein saidadhesively backed structure is a single label for postage and/or anypostal service marking.